The latest World Population Review 2025 report highlights Kuwait’s evolving demographics, ranking it 128th globally in population. Despite its small size, Kuwait experiences notable population shifts, with an increase of one person approximately every 5 minutes due to births, immigration, and other factors.
Population Growth and Density
- Kuwait’s population growth rate stands at 2.12%, placing it 52nd globally.
- It accounts for 0.06% of the world’s population and is ranked 157th by land area.
- With 276.91 people per square kilometer, Kuwait holds the 50th spot in population density.
Births, Deaths, and Migration
- A birth occurs every 10.92 minutes, while a death happens approximately every 57.6 minutes.
- New arrivals enter the country every 8.52 minutes, leading to a net population increase every 5.22 minutes.
Expatriate Population and Workforce
- 69% of Kuwait’s population consists of expatriates, including:
- 1.1 million Arab expatriates
- 1.4 million Asian expatriates
- Other foreign nationals and individuals classified as Bedoon
- The government views the high proportion of expatriates as a demographic challenge and has proposed measures to adjust these figures.
Workforce Distribution
- Among the 504,878 Kuwaitis in the workforce, 78% are employed in the government sector, while only 4% work in private companies.
- Conversely, 96% of private-sector workers are non-Kuwaitis.
- The total number of domestic workers in Kuwait is 780,930.
- Unemployment among Kuwaitis is relatively high at 90%, compared to 10% among expatriates.
Age Demographics and Life Expectancy
- The average life expectancy in Kuwait is 78.2 years.
- 25.32% of Kuwaiti citizens are under 15 years old, while only 2.33% are 65 or older.
- The country’s fertility rate stood at 2.48 children per woman in 2024 and is projected to decline to 2.1 by 2035, indicating a gradual decrease in the youth population.
Economic and Social Indicators
- The average Kuwaiti family has 7 members, while non-Kuwaiti families average 2 members.
- Birth rates per 1,000 people:
- 21 among Kuwaitis
- 4 among non-Kuwaitis
- Death rates per 1,000 people:
- 2.4% for Kuwaitis
- 0.94% for non-Kuwaitis
- Economic activity participation rates:
- 47% among Kuwaitis
- 84% among expatriates
Historical Immigration Trends
Kuwait has long been a magnet for expatriates, driven by its oil wealth and high living standards. In 2007, it recorded the third-highest net immigration rate in the world at 16.01% of its total population at the time. This trend has continued, contributing to high population density and workforce imbalances.
Conclusion
Kuwait’s demographic landscape is shaped by steady population growth, a high expatriate workforce, and changing fertility trends. While the government seeks to adjust expatriate numbers, the country continues to attract foreign workers, fueling its economy. However, long-term changes in fertility and youth demographics could impact future policies and labor force composition.